How Okiki went from repeating evidence to explaining why it matters.

THE PROBLEM

Okiki could locate evidence from a text, but his reasoning often repeated what happened instead of explaining why the evidence supported his claim.

THE GOAL

Strengthen analytical writing by helping him move beyond summarizing the text and begin explaining the significance of his evidence.

WORK COMPLETED

Over several months, we focused on:

✅ Distinguishing between claims, evidence, and reasoning

✅ Identifying the difference between repeating evidence and explaining evidence

✅ Developing stronger analytical thinking

✅ Elaborating on ideas without adding unsupported information

✅ Connecting evidence back to the original claim

✅ Revising responses for clarity and deeper explanation

BEFORE

Students were given the claim and evidence. Their task was to write the reasoning.

Claim: Harriet Tubman showed intelligence and courage.

Evidence: Tubman used disguises, escape plans, and safe houses.

Okiki's Original Reasoning:

This shows that she used multiple ways to assist people in escaping from the slave owners, while making sure not to get caught by them, or else she would have been punished.

AFTER

After instruction and revision, Okiki expanded his explanation instead of simply repeating the evidence.

Okiki's Revised Reasoning:

This shows she was determined because she used multiple ways to assist people in escaping instead of escaping herself without anyone else's help. She used other people's help because if she didn't communicate with other people, she wouldn't have known what to do. By planning this carefully, she made sure not to get caught, or else she would have been punished.

THE OUTCOME

Okiki began moving beyond simply restating information from the text and started explaining why the evidence supported the claim. His writing became more analytical as he learned to connect actions, character traits, and consequences through clearer reasoning.